Williamston votes to fund Spring Water Festival Fourth of July fireworks

Council members agreed to provide funding, from the hospitality tax, for two upcoming Williamston events, including the Spring Water Festival.

After putting off funding for the Spring Water Festival in past meetings members agreed to allow $5,000 from the hospitality tax to go toward the festival.

Festival organizers had asked for $10,000 to be able to attract nationally known entertainment for the event following last year's performance by Julie Roberts but decided to go back to the festival's roots and use local talent for this year's event.

"I met with the committee and they decided to use local talent," said council member Michael Looper.

Looper made a motion to allocate $5,000 from the hospitality tax for the festival to use and the motion passed 3-1 with council member David Harvell voting against the motion.

Council also voted to use $3,500 from the hospitality tax to fund an approximately 20 minute fireworks show for the "Fourth of July event that will be held on June 27.

Williamston Fire Chief Steve Ellison told the council that the Greater Williamston Business Association had funded half the show in the past and had decided not to provide funding this year.

"This event brings thousands of people into our town," said council member Marion Middleton Jr.. Mayor Carthel Crout agreed.

Again the vote was 3-1 to pass the motion with Harvell voting against the funding.

The second and final reading to approve the sewer and water rate increases was on the agenda, but council voted to table that vote until the next meeting April 20. At that meeting a power-point presentation will be shown so that citizens can see what is taking place with the sewer plant upgrades and the reason for the rate increases.

After postponing the vote Crout told the audience that what was being done with the sewer plant was proactive and that getting out of the Saluda River was a blessing and he wanted the citizens to see the presentation to see what the town was doing.